plants
Pachysandra (Pachysandra axillaris 'Windcliff's Fragrant') It's far from my intention to recommend infinite blankets of ground covers. A default design stroke of too many designers and architects, ground covers can be counterproductive and, yes, a pain to maintain. There are, however, areas — at the bases of shrubs, along pathways — where ground covers are welcome. Of the newer candidates is this gorgeous pachysandra (Pachysandra axillaris 'Windcliff's Fragrant'). Eons from the oh-so-common Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), this one is slightly taller, thankfully a tad looser and clad with diminutive yet highly fragrant flowers in the fall and again in late winter. A must-have plant. USDA zones: 6 to 9 Water requirement: Moist to well-drained soil Light requirement: Partial sun to full shade Mature size: Up to 1 foot tall; spreads Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Anytime
Upright Yew (Taxus x media) Compared with broadleaf evergreens, coniferous evergreens are, in general, that much hardier. In the warmer reaches of North America as well as on most of its West Coast well into Canada, broadleaf evergreens abound. In colder reaches, however, the selection is much thinner — boxwood, euonymus, hollies and leucothoes are some of the tougher contenders. Yet there is more to conifers than blue spruces and hedging cedars. An all-time favorite is yew, upright (Taxus x media, shown here) or creeping. Its fine, dark green foliage has nothing to envy of any exotics. USDA zones: 4 to 8 Water requirement: Moist but well-drained soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: Variable Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Spring to fall
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